Simple and practical pellet production with GALA Underwater Pelletising Systems from CTS
Since incorporating in 1959, GALA remains focused on simple and practical pellet production technology for today’s plastics industry.
GALA is a leading manufacturer worldwide of centrifugal dryers and pelletising systems for throughputs up to 15,000 kg/h, and offers custom designed turn-key pellet production systems for thermoplastics, engineered resins, TPU, HMA and compounding applications including micro-pellets.
With the successful introduction of the LPU, MB 500 and IS, GALA has established new benchmarks in the development of standardised modular pelletising systems, which permit economical and technical solutions for many applications.
GALA has been producing underwater pelletising systems since the mid-seventies and supplying an average of 250 - 300 systems per year is testimony to GALA’s commitment, service and success.
GALA is also a leading supplier of centrifugal dryers for stand-alone and system applications.
GALA pelletising systems are highly cost efficient and today cover a wide range of applications including:
- Primary pelletising
- Masterbatch production
- Compounding
- Plastics recycling
- Pilot applications
- Research and laboratory applications
The typical GALA pelletising system consists of three main components that are customised for each pelletising situation:
- Pelletiser
- Tempered water system (TWS) with centrifugal dryer and
- Electrical control and power supply
The pelletising system interfaces with the customer's extruder or melt pump. The pelletising process is performed in a closed loop system.
The pelletised product is conveyed by the water flow from the cutting chamber into the centrifugal dryer. During the process, the pelletised product has no contact with ambient air, and there is no risk of gas, dust emission, or contamination of the product.
The process water remains in the tempered water system, another advantage which contributes to the environmental compatibility of this process.
The special benefits of GALA underwater pelletising systems are:
- Low space requirement because of a more compact design than used for other pelletising processes
- Low noise emission
- High economic efficiency
- Less cleaning effort required in case of product changes thanks to the Easy Clean design of the dryer
- Simple access to die plate and cutter hub. Replacement possible within 15 -20 minutes
- Production of both standard pellets and micro-pellets (from 0.2 to 12 mm in diameter) is possible
- All GALA systems are backed by around-the-clock technical support
Underwater Pelletiser
GALA pelletisers are primarily used for compounding, masterbatches, hot melt adhesives, and reactor applications, from low viscosity engineering plastics to high viscosity materials such as gum bases, and for throughputs ranging from 2 kg/h to 15,000 kg/h.
Centrifugal Dryer
There are two popular styles of GALA Centrifugal Dryer:
- Easy Access Dryer
- ECLN Dryer
Easy Access Dryer
Throughput 1,000 - 70,000 kg/h.
With the “EASY ACCESS” series, GALA offers an economical solution meeting the customer’s requirements of a centrifugal dryer.
The wide opening doors permit easy and fast access for all internal cleaning and maintenance. When processing 3mm long LDPE pellets with a diameter of 3mm, the maximum sound pressure level is 85 dBA.
ECLN Dryer
Throughput up to 45,000 kg/h. Easy - Clean Low - Noise (ENLN) dryers are easy to service and meet high demands for noise reduction.
The ECLN dryers have double “sandwich” walls filled with insulting material so a sound pressure level of <80 dBA is possible. An additional benefit of this dryer is easy access for cleaning and maintenance.
Large doors and more space between rotor screens and dryer walls provide easy and fast access to the interior.
With the integration of the intake air filter into the pellet outlet chute, it became possible to close the entire upper section of the dryer, avoiding potential dirt pockets.
This integration of the intake air filter into the pellet outlet optimises the counter current air flow so less air volume is needed for the drying process.
MB500 Tempered Water System
Throughput 50 - 500 kg/h.
MB500 is part of a compact underwater pelletising system and is the first system specifically designed to permit fast product changes in masterbatch and compounding applications.
This system is characterised by the easy access, fast removal, and simple cleaning of all system components.
LPU Laboratory Pelletising System
Throughput 2 - 70 kg/h.
The LPU is a low cost underwater pelletising system for laboratory use. The heart of the LPU is the patented GALA Underwater Pelletiser with self-aligning, spring-loaded cutter hub.
The centrifugal pellet dryer and tempered water system designs incorporate several unique features to enhance the attractiveness of this small system for laboratory use. These features include:
- Fast cleaning
- Minimisation of required spare parts
- Simple and easy operator control
- Mobility (lightweight and compact)
- Low capital expenditure
The underwater pelletiser, tempered water system, and centrifugal dryer are mounted on a common chassis with swivel casters.
The electrical control is accommodated in a free standing modular control cabinet and permits an automatic startup and shutdown.
IS Tempered Water System
Throughput up to 2,000 kg/h.
The Integrated Sieve (IS) Tempered Water System is a further development of the concept first implemented in the LPU and the MB 500 – that of easy access, cleanability, and compact integrated fines removal system.
The IS design embodies a consistent response to all market requirements:
- Simple and fast cleaning
- Fully enclosed system
- No hidden corners
- Modular design
- Pressure - drop independent filtration
- Easy access for fines removal
- Integrated secondary filter collecting fines during fines removal
Larger Tempered Water System (TWS)
GALA process water systems are manufactured to the individual customer’s requirements for large PP, PE, PS, ABS, PUR and PVC production lines.
The GALA process water systems can be designed for production rates to 60,000 kg/h at water rates up to 550 M3/h.
GALA products are available in Australia from CTS Plastics Machinery
5-Sep-2007